Marty Mac: Jackson wants security from contender

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http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/14270499p-15081284c.html

Marty Mac's World: Security from contender is Jackson's ideal deal
By Martin McNeal -- Bee Sports Columnist
Published 12:01 am PDT Thursday, June 22, 2006

Bobby Jackson is 33 years old. July 1, he'll be a free agent.

And he'll be looking to make the best deal he can for himself and his family.

However, when it comes to being a free agent, that's exactly what Jackson says he'll be.

"I don't know where I want to go, what team I want to sign with," Jackson said Wednesday afternoon during a lunch break at the Bobby Jackson Basketball Camp at Basketball Town. "I definitely want to be on a playoff contender, that's for sure. I want to be on a team that can make a run for the championship."

That comes as no surprise. Jackson has played for a playoff squad in each of the past seven seasons with Minnesota, the Kings and Memphis.

It's highly unlikely he'll stay with the Grizzlies.

"No, I'm not looking to go back there," he said after deciding one unsettled season under coach Mike Fratello was more than enough.

Ironically, Jackson is at least as knowledgeable about new Sacramento coach Eric Musselman as most of the Kings. Jackson and Musselman were together in Memphis last season.

Jackson said he and his agent, Andy Miller, are looking for a situation in which Jackson can be paid his value. At 33, three years with an option for a fourth is the maximum length of contract Jackson can sign.

"I'd like to play five more years," Jackson said. "Everything is an option, and it just depends on the situation. If a team wants me, they can step up to the plate. … I've still got a lot of game left. I just don't want to be an underpaid player."

In the wacky world of NBA salaries, Jackson, the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year during the 2002-03 season, qualifies as having been underpaid considering his production when healthy. Last season's $3.375 million salary was the largest of his career.

Last season with Memphis, Jackson played in 71 games, four fewer than his total of the two previous seasons with the Kings. His field-goal percentage has declined each of the past three seasons, with the .382 he shot in 2005-06 the lowest of his nine-year career.

Jackson said he is looking forward to this offseason, when he finally is healthy enough to work on his game.

"I'm working on my jump shot and ballhandling," he said. "Free-throw shooting, three-point shooting and the fundamentals. And I'm working out in the mornings with (former Kings strength and conditioning coach) Al Biancani."

Should a team need a tough, hard-nosed guard who'll give everything he has, it could be a good summer for Jackson.

Will the Kings give him a jingle? We'll have to wait until July 1 to find out.

About the writer: The Bee's Martin McNeal can be reached at mmcneal@sacbee.com.
 
Normally, I do not support bringing back players, but I have a soft spot for Bobby. I also recently came across one of my old SI mags with him on the cover. The title was Secret Weapon: Bobby + Bibby = perfect point guard. It made me smile!!
 
You know who might go for him? Miami -- reputed to be looking for a combo guard even if Payton returns, which he may not. Need outside shooting, + riley loves balls to the wall guys. Be more than a little ironic to see the Bobby/JWill PG duo reunited + out there chasing a title 5-6 years later.
 
I just don't know what teams will be looking at him. Miami? maybe, but I can think of a million reasons why that wouldn't work from both sides. Every situation I have thought of has been like that. Maybe Toronto?
 
Toronto has a lot of work to do before they can even be in the possibility of making the playoffs.

Miami I think will be looking at him. Lakers/Rockets also, both have a bunch of uncertainity at PG. I think the Kings will because we'll be seeking a guy with some exp. at back-up PG, and because of other obvious reasons.

Payton has said he will play one more season.
 
The Kings would be foolish not to make a run at Bobby. He'd fit in better I think with this Kings team than he did with the old one because of his defensive intensity and willingness leave everything out on the court.

I can't see him with Miami if Payton comes back, and I sincerely hope he doesn't go to LA...it would make things especially hard on Kings fans for sentimental reasons.
 
Actually, come to think of it, not only Miami, but Detroit too.

Cleveland.

Maybe the Nets. Possibly Philly. Atlanta. Houston, San Antonio (Van Exel is done) or Utah, although Van Gundy, Pop + Sloan may be too control freaky. Lakers.

Bobby may actually get a lot of interest and have some choices.
 
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Bobby said there were 9 teams interested in him so far, and yes, the Kings were one of them.....not that any of them were suppossed to be talking to him at all when he said that as it was a couple of weeks ago now.
 
I would LOVE him to be back with us, but it probably will not happen. I hope he gets a great deal and has a wonderful (NO INJURY) season, no matter where he signs.
 
Amanjoy said:
The Kings would be foolish not to make a run at Bobby. He'd fit in better I think with this Kings team than he did with the old one because of his defensive intensity and willingness leave everything out on the court.

I can't see him with Miami if Payton comes back, and I sincerely hope he doesn't go to LA...it would make things especially hard on Kings fans for sentimental reasons.
Click to expand...

Well, they want a combo guard. Since GP has a limited role, Bobby would fit that:

We hear the Heat, which will have a cap exception of at least $5.1 million, wants to add a guard who can play either backcourt spot, regardless of whether Gary Payton re-signs.
But there's no perfect free agent fit. Affordable free agent guards include Speedy Claxton, Bobby Jackson, Chucky Atkins, Marcus Banks, Lindsey Hunter and ex-Heater Eddie House.
Click to expand...

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/14863840.htm
 
There seems to be slim pickings amongst free-agents, thus I think the Kings will be very fortunate to land either Bobby Jackson or Bonzi Wells. However... it would be really cool if the Kings could land both... I just see this offseason like last year; not a lot of great players available and a lot of teams with $ to spend and severe needs. Not a great situation for the Kings.
 
NoBonus said:
There seems to be slim pickings amongst free-agents, thus I think the Kings will be very fortunate to land either Bobby Jackson or Bonzi Wells. However... it would be really cool if the Kings could land both... I just see this offseason like last year; not a lot of great players available and a lot of teams with $ to spend and severe needs. Not a great situation for the Kings.
Click to expand...



Bonzi and Bobby really have nothing to do with eachother IMO. I mean we can pay Bobby part of the MLE whether we re-sign Bonzi or not. We can pay Bonzi MORE than anyone else since we have his bird rights. I'd give Bobby part of the MLE and I'd re-sign Bonzi.
 
BMiller52 said:
Bonzi and Bobby really have nothing to do with eachother IMO. I mean we can pay Bobby part of the MLE whether we re-sign Bonzi or not. We can pay Bonzi MORE than anyone else since we have his bird rights. I'd give Bobby part of the MLE and I'd re-sign Bonzi.
Click to expand...
I agree, that would be great if that is how it worked out. My point is there are probably going to be willing to sign Bobby to the full MLE. Additionally, there are likely teams willing to throw a lot of money at Bonzi. If/when that happens, the Kings will be lucky to get either.
 
NoBonus said:
I agree, that would be great if that is how it worked out. My point is there are probably going to be willing to sign Bobby to the full MLE. Additionally, there are likely teams willing to throw a lot of money at Bonzi. If/when that happens, the Kings will be lucky to get either.
Click to expand...


And again, I think some people are totally making a mountain out of a molehill...

The Kings own Bonzi's Bird rights. They can give him a better deal than any other team out there, should that even be necessary - which is most likely not going to be.

Bonzi wants to stay here. The Maloofs WANT him to stay here. They are not about to be outbid by another team for Bonzi's rights...

There are lots of times when something like this is up in the air, but I really do not see that as the case this time. Petrie brought Bonzi here because he thought he would work out. He has worked out - quite nicely. There is just no scenario (ignoring the silly Garnett stuff) under which it would be good business sense to let Bonzi walk, especially if the Maloofs say they're willing to pay, which they have.
 
People do realize there is a thing called trading? ;)

The back-up PG can come from either FA or trading, while I think the main big will come from trading. Hopefully we get a cheaper back-up big through FA.

On House, I think he's gonna stay with Phoenix. For us, I'd rather we get one of the many two-way PGs out there. Need a guy that can play defense behind Bibby, while of course being solid offensively. That's what Bobby was only better, and why it worked so well, which is why we should get a two-way PG behind Bibby.

If Bobby's going to be getting offered the MLE from someone, they can have him. I think that's overdoing it.

Once again, we can offer Wells the most money. Along with a starting job and a location he likes and doesn't want to move anymore.
 
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Kings113 said:
Once again, we can offer Wells the most money. Along with a starting job and a location he likes and doesn't want to move anymore.
Click to expand...

And a team that should be contenders AND owners who are nothing if not passionate about the game.

I'm in total agreement, as some of my other posts indicate. I cannot think of even one reason the Maloofs would not open their checkbooks to keep Bonzi...
 
VF21 said:
And a team that should be contenders AND owners who are nothing if not passionate about the game.

I'm in total agreement, as some of my other posts indicate. I cannot think of even one reason the Maloofs would not open their checkbooks to keep Bonzi...
Click to expand...
There is one reason... here's a hint... "30"
 
Do you honestly think the Maloofs are worried about him being 30 years old? Look at their track records. They reward producing players with NICE contracts. Webber, Bibby, Miller...

We'll know in a couple of weeks, but there just doesn't seem to be any kind of indication that they're not going to offer him a fair deal.
 
VF21 said:
Do you honestly think the Maloofs are worried about him being 30 years old? Look at their track records. They reward producing players with NICE contracts. Webber, Bibby, Miller...

We'll know in a couple of weeks, but there just doesn't seem to be any kind of indication that they're not going to offer him a fair deal.
Click to expand...
I think they will sign Bonzi... and it will be their pleasure as Bonzi is highly coveted. However, if they do not re-sign him, I suspect it will be a combination of his age and the price tag.
 
reyes13 said:
Resign Bonzi, sign Bobby or House, and trade+draft for bigs. Is that too much to ask for?
Click to expand...

How about House after some other guys, like other two-way small guards, similar to Bobby in that (Banks/Duhon/Bell/Lue/Delk). Bobby behind Bibby worked so well because of B-Jax's ability on both ends of the floor, we can get someone with that ability to compliment Bibby like B-Jax did, and should look there first. Or like Mo Williams, who isn't known as a defender, but with his length and athleticism, under the right coach (like Muss) should be able to defend. He just hasn't had that guy (was a rook in Utah, so didn't play much).

House I bet stays with Phoenix or goes back to Miami. Unless Hart stays around as a defensive guard, we'd have no defense at PG with Bibby/House. Which has been lacking basically since Bobby left (or 04-05, 2 months), and Rick didn't play Hart enough because of being new, only getting to play sometimes. Price may not get enough time on the year to be a factor in that, since he showed what he could do on d in the time he got.

Ditto for people suggesting the idea we have a Bibby/Ser-Rod PG combo :eek:
 
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